Malawi News

Dalitso Kabambe quits DPP

Dalitso Kabambe quits DPP

By Isaac Salima

Reserve Bank of Malawi former governor Dalitso Kabambe has announced that he has quit the former governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

In a statement, Kabambe says the decision was not made lightly but after “careful reflection and in the best interest of all parties involved”.

“I have already informed His Excellency Prof Arthur Peter Mutharika of my decision.

“I extend my best wishes to Prof Peter Mutharika and the entire DPP family as I move forward to communicate my next course of action in due time. I believe in the strength and resilience of Malawians and our nation. Though I am stepping back from this particular path, I still believe in the dreams and aspirations of every Malawian, that Malawi is a country full of possibilities,” Kabambe, who was an executive member, says in the statement.

Shadric Namalomba

DPP spokesperson Shadric Namalomba said Kabambe has exercised his right.

“Our party’s response is that everyone has freedom of association,” he said.

But political analysts have said Kabambe’s departure spells out serious leadership problems in the DPP.

“This can indicate serious problems in the party. Some people in the DPP think it is impossible for other potential leaders to join the party. The DPP needed to be careful about losing numbers. Winning elections is about having numbers and every individual in the party has followers behind him,” Mavuto Bamusi said.

Another commentator Chimwemwe Tsitsi, however, said Kabambe’s impact in DPP was yet to be tested.

“Since he [Kabambe] joined politics, his popularity is yet to be tested at an election. He has never contested at a convention. So, we are yet to appreciate how popular he would have been [in DPP].

“However, he was a prominent figure in the party and was harbouring ambitions to lead it,” Tsitsi said.

Kabambe was recently seen attending a candlelight memorial that UTM organised in Blantyre in remembrance of its first president Saulos Chilima, who died in a plane crash in Chikangawa Forest on June 10 this year.